Combination comb and flat iron device

ABSTRACT

A combination comb and hair iron device for providing both combing of hair and protection from burning or the scalp or other body parts. The device has an inner comb, and an outer comb. The inner comb and outer comb are slidably and removably mounted to the side of the hair iron by a mounting mechanism. The inner comb may be heated, and provides for additional heated hair treatment. The outer comb is insulated from the inner comb and protects from contact of the scalp with the inner comb or hair iron.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a(n) haircare device, and more particularly, a COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE.

Description of the Prior Art

Numerous innovations for haircare devices integrating heating and combs have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 1,376,416, Published/Issued on May 3, 1921, to Forshee teaches an electrically-heated apparatus and particularly an electrically heated combs, and it has for its object to provide a novel method of removably mounting a comb on an electrically-heated curling iron.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,528, Published/Issued on Aug. 10, 1976, to Walter, et al. teaches a styling apparatus for treating hair with heat includes a tubular heated mandrel around which hair is wound to be heat treated and rows of bristles extending from the mandrel for tensioning the hair while the hair is wound. The bristles are preferably mounted on a removable attachment which is received in a slot extending along the mandrel. A row of teeth may also extend from the attachment so that the hair may be combed prior or subsequent to heat treatment.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,747, Published/Issued on Jun. 28, 1977, to Kunz teaches a thermal hair styling appliance includes interchangeable attachments, such as hair retaining clips, comb-brush clips or other types of attachments which are selectively attached to an operating button that is pivoted on a handle of the appliance. The appliance further includes a main electric heater which is controlled by a thermostat which, in turn, responds to a pair of auxiliary heaters. By selectively energizing the auxiliary heaters, the temperature of the main heater is controlled. A versatile hair styling appliance is thus provided. According to one embodiment, the operating button includes at least one projection which engages a slot in the end of the attachment being used. The attachment is held within the button by detents which engage other slots in the end of the attachment.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,886, Published/Issued on Jul. 26, 2005, to McCambridge, et al. teaches a hair styling iron includes a body with a handle end configured for being gripped by a user, and a styling end opposite the handle end. The styling end includes a first leg and a second leg, each leg having at least one heated surface. The handle end is configured for moving the second leg relative to the first leg and includes a grip portion and a pivoting portion connected to the second leg for providing pivoting movement relative to the first leg. The pivoting portion of the handle end and the second leg are connected to the body to operate in scissors fashion relative to the first leg. A curling clamp is pivotally connected to the body for exerting a clamping force against one of the first and second legs. A latch is associated with the handle end for releasably securing the pivoting portion to the grip portion.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,568, Published/Issued on Nov. 15, 2011, to Ruckart teaches an adjustable hair combing, drying, and straightening device and related method is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the device includes: a first row of comb teeth disposed upon a comb body in a fixed position relative to a comb handle; a second row of comb teeth disposed upon the comb body and configured to slide in a generally parallel manner alongside the first row of comb teeth; an adjustable tension device disposed upon the comb body and configured to provide a tension between the first row of comb teeth and the second row of comb teeth, thereby configured to compress hair at a variable level of tension and provide a wring effect; and a tab, operable by a single digit of a user, disposed upon the comb handle, operable to regulate a position of the second row of comb teeth in relation to the first row of comb teeth.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,605, Published/Issued on Apr. 3, 2012, to Laaly teaches the quickness, relative effortlessness, and convenience associate with the an improved attachment for a hair styling iron or an improved hair styling iron, either one featuring interchangeable comb bristles assemblies located adjacent to and extended outwardly and perpendicular to a hair styling iron heating element for the purpose of contacting and positioning the hair strands in parallel arrangement before, during, and/or after application of heat from a hair styling iron heating element. The interchangeable comb bristle arrangements may be composed of different bristle densities, thicknesses, and/or material to accommodate different types and thicknesses of hair. The improved attachment may be slid over a hair styling iron arm element and be secured to the hair styling iron using a retaining lip which hooks to engage an inner surface of the heating element arm and a security clip that attaches onto one end of the interchangeable comb bristle assembly.

A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20050236009, Published/Issued on Oct. 27, 2005, to Park teaches an attachment for a hair styling iron, or a new hair styling iron, includes a hair pick and plurality of comb teeth. The hair pick, which is used for selecting and separating hair, may be moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The comb teeth are located adjacent to a heating element for extending into the hair when the hair styling iron contacts and moves along the length of a bundle of hair. The attachment may be slid over a heating element arm, wherein a retaining lip hooks around to engage an inner surface of the heating element arm adjacent to the heating element. In another embodiment, a new hair styling iron includes comb teeth adjacent to a heating element of the hair styling iron, and a hair pick that extends beyond the end of a heating element arm of the hair styling iron.

AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20080127989, Published/Issued on Jun. 5, 2008, to Chapman, et al. teaches a flat iron comb in accordance with the present disclosure combines a comb with tongs to allow the user to section a portion of hair and clamp down with the comb portion to provide tension when the flat iron is pulled behind the flat iron comb. The flat iron comb also lines tip the hair prior to being heated by the flat iron thus allowing a straighter result on the hair. The flat iron comb possesses a slot in a lower armature to allow for the comb of an upper armature to be inserted therein when the tongs are clamped down. The lower armature also possesses a tapered sectioning point on the tip of the armature to allow the user to get closer to the scalp to gather the hair section to be straightened. The armature can also possess a ceramic attribute in the lower armature to assist in setting and drying the hair.

A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20100086577, Published/Issued on Apr. 8, 2010, to Munoz, et al. teaches a method for treating and killing lice and lice eggs in hair of a person includes the steps of: combing and ironing the hair of the person using a hand-held flat-iron device. The flat-iron device includes a handle having a first arm and a second arm that is pivotally coupled to the first arm at first ends thereof, wherein in an open position, strands of hair are inserted between the first and second arms. The flat-iron device also includes at least one heat conducting plate that is disposed along an inner surface of one of the first and second arms. The plate is operably coupled to a source of heat for controlled heating of the plate to a temperate of at least 130° F. A first edge of the heat conducting plate extends to within 1 millimeter of a first edge of the arm on which the heat conducting plate is disposed. In a closed position, the strands of hair are pinched and held between the two arms in contact with the heated plate resulting in heat being applied to the hair including within a zone that is less than 5 millimeters from a scalp of the person.

A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20130199561, Published/Issued on Aug. 8, 2013, to Schlough teaches a hair curling iron or a flat hair iron has rows or rings of unheated combs attached to a heated barrel or paddle with a slotted clamp that accepts the rows or rings of combs. The rows or rings of combs provide a buffer between the heated barrel or paddle and the skin or scalp.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for haircare apparatuses have been provided in the prior art that adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE that protects a user's scalp from accidental burning.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE being utilized to straighten a person's hair;

FIG. 2 is another diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE per se;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating all the major components of the system separated from each other;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 but with the flattening irons in a closed position

FIG. 5 is another diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE per se, showing the plug for the heating comb element separated fron a cooperating receptacle; and

FIG. 6 is another diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE per se, showing the a set of combs partially installed in cooperating holding mechanisms.

A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

-   -   10 comb and hair iron device     -   12 cooperating hair iron     -   14 comb     -   16 mounting mechanism     -   18 side of cooperating hair iron 12     -   20 upper portion of cooperating hair iron 12     -   22 lower portion of cooperating hair iron 12     -   24 hinge attachment     -   26 heated iron of upper portion 20 of cooperating hair iron 12     -   28 heated iron of lower portion 22 of cooperating hair iron 12     -   30 outer comb     -   32 inner comb     -   34 thermal insulator     -   36 electrical connection     -   38 outlet     -   40 channel     -   42 inner channel of channel 40     -   44 outer channel of channel 40     -   46 tines of outer comb 30     -   48 tines of inner comb 32

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, disclosed is a combination comb and hair iron device 10 which has:

a) a cooperating hair iron 12;

b) at least one comb 14; and

c) a mounting mechanism 16.

The cooperating hair iron 12 has side 20. The mounting mechanism 16 is disposed along the side 20 of the cooperating hair iron 12. The mounting mechanism mounts the at least one comb 14 along the side 20 of the cooperating hair iron 12. This structure permits a user to achieve a detangling combing effect while simultaneously achieving a hair ironing effect.

The mounting mechanism 16 removably mounts the at least one comb 14 along the side 18 of the cooperating hair iron. Removability provides the advantage of allowing easier cleaning of hair off of a comb, and allows for changing combs for different users who may desire different tine size or spacing.

The cooperating hair iron 12 has an upper portion 20 and a lower portion 22. The upper portion 20 of the cooperating hair iron 12 is hingedly attached 24 to the lower portion 22 of the cooperating hair iron 12. The mounting mechanism 16 is disposed along the side 20 of the upper portion 20 of the cooperating hair iron 12. This structure allows hair to be put into the cooperating hair iron 12 with it open and then to be combed an ironed, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The upper portion 20 has a heated iron 26. Likewise, the lower portion 22 has a heated iron 28. The hinged attachment 24 of the upper portion 20 to the lower portion 22 allows the heated iron 26 of the upper portion 20 and the heated iron 28 of the lower portion 22 to come into contact when the upper portion 20 is parallel with the lower portion 22.

The heated iron 26 of the upper portion 20 and the heated iron 28 of the lower portion are electrically heated. This facilitates ease of use as a home appliance, and allows the cooperating hair iron 12 to heat the comb 14 as later described.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the at least one comb 14 is slidably mounted in the mounting mechanism 16. This allows the at least one comb 14 to be easily removed and inserted, and simplifies manufacture. As also illustrated in FIG. 6 as well as FIG. 2, theat least one comb 14 is two combs 14. The two combs 14 are an outer comb 30 and an inner comb 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner comb 32 is mounted closer to the heated iron 26 of the upper portion 20 than the outer comb 32.

In the preferred construction, the inner comb 32 is heated, and is heated electrically. The mounting mechanism further has a thermal insulator 34 The thermal insulator 34 is between the inner comb 32 and the outer comb 30. This structure allows the inner comb 32 to be heated while preventing the outer comb from being heated. This permits a user to have a heated combing of their hair, while the outer comb prevents burning of the scalp or other body parts, which is a longstanding problem facing users of prior art heated combs and of hair irons.

In furtherance of the same, the inner comb 32 further has an electrical connection 36. The electrical connection 36 is for obtaining electric power from a source outside of the inner comb 32. Ideally, that source outside the inner comb 32 is an outlet 38 on the cooperating hair iron 12. This is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6.

Further, as illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 4, and 5 the device 10 further has a channel 40. The channel 40 is for receiving the inner comb 32 and the outer comb 34. The channel 40 is secured to the lower portion 22 of the cooperating hair iron 12.

The channel 40 is parallel to the mounting mechanism 16 when the hinged attachment 24 of the upper portion 20 to the lower portion 22 has allowed the heated iron 26 of the upper portion 20 and the heated iron 28 of the lower portion 22 to come into contact. This means that the channel will receive the combs 14 when the cooperating hair iron 12 is closed, which prevents hair from escaping except through the combs 14.

In a preferred construction, the channel 40 has an inner channel 42 and an outer channel 44. The inner channel 42 is for receiving the inner comb 32. The outer channel 44 is for receiving the outer comb. This structure keeps the combs 14 separated from one another which aids in thermal separation of the inner comb 32 from the outer comb 30, aiding the previously mentioned benefit of preventing scalp burning. Further to the same end, in the preferred construction, the channel 40 is formed from a thermally insulating material.

The outer comb 30 has a plurality of tines 46. The inner comb 32 also has a plurality of tines 48. The plurality of tines 46 of the outer comb 30 corresponds in number to the plurality of tines 48 of the inner comb 32. Further to that structure and to the goal of providing a heated inner comb 30 the plurality of tines 48 of the inner comb 32 are composed of a metal, ideally aluminum or steel. This aids providing a heated comb in an energy efficient manner due to the high thermal conductivity and low specific heat of those metals, as well as their lack of deformation when heated.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a COMBINATION COMB AND FLAT IRON DEVICE, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A combination comb and hair iron device which comprises: a) a cooperating hair iron; b) at least one comb; and c) a mounting means; wherein said cooperating hair iron has side; wherein said mounting means is disposed along said side of said cooperating hair iron; and wherein said mounting means mounts said at least one comb along said side of said cooperating hair iron.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting means removably mounts said at least one comb along said side of said cooperating hair iron.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said cooperating hair iron has an upper portion and a lower portion; wherein said upper portion of said cooperating hair iron is hingedly attached to said lower portion of said cooperating hair iron; and wherein said mounting means is disposed along said side of said upper portion of said cooperating hair iron.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said upper portion has a heated iron; wherein said lower portion has a heated iron; and wherein said hinged attachment of said upper portion to said lower portion allows said heated iron of said upper portion and said heated iron of said lower portion to come into contact when said upper portion is parallel with said lower portion.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said heated iron of said upper portion and said heated iron of said lower portion are electrically heated.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said at least one comb is slidably mounted in said mounting means.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said at least one comb comprises two combs.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said two combs comprise an outer comb and an inner comb; wherein said inner comb is mounted closer to said heated iron of said upper portion than said outer comb.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said inner comb is heated.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said inner comb is heated electrically.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said mounting means further comprises a thermal insulator; and wherein said thermal insulator is between said inner comb and said outer comb.
 12. The device of claim 10 wherein said inner comb further comprises an electrical connection; and wherein said electrical connection is for obtaining electric power from a source outside said inner comb.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein said source outside said inner comb is an outlet on said cooperating hair iron.
 14. The device of claim 9 wherein said device further comprises a channel; and wherein said channel is for receiving said inner comb and said outer comb.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein said channel is secured to said lower portion of said cooperating hair iron.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein said channel is parallel to said mounting means when said hinged attachment of said upper portion to said lower portion has allowed said heated iron of said upper portion and said heated iron of said lower portion to come into contact.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein said channel comprises an inner channel and an outer channel; wherein said inner channel is for receiving said inner comb; and wherein said outer channel is for receiving said outer comb.
 18. The device of claim 17 wherein said channel is formed from a thermally insulating material.
 19. The device of claim 9 wherein said outer comb comprises a plurality of tines; wherein said inner comb comprises a plurality of tines wherein said plurality of tines of said outer comb corresponds in number to said plurality of tines of said inner comb.
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein said plurality of tines of said inner comb are composed of a metal.
 21. The device of claim 20 wherein said metal of said plurality of tines of said inner comb is selected from the group of aluminum and steel. 